The signing of a central defender depends on exits and the club have to fund the purchase of a striker and a right-footed winger too. There are two questions to answer on the issue: why Chelsea are pursuing another player in this position at all and what are the ramifications for those centre-backs at the club?

Louis: Please, can we just sign a goalkeeper and a centre-forward? I like Huijsen but we have Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, and more on loan. A new centre-back is not what we need. Only if we offload one or two would I want us to sign Huijsen.

The 20-year-old joined from Juventus last year, following a loan spell with Roma. His reported £50million release clause could prove a stumbling block if Chelsea don’t finish in the top five, but they have defensive players who could potentially head in the other direction to help dilute any fee.